The Ports, Water Supply and Petroleum Trade Unions are also protesting today (03) in support of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Joint Trade Union Alliance (CEAA) demanding the cancellation of the agreement to transfer 40% of the government-owned Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant to an American company.
Also, employees of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation are protesting in front of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery and the Kolonnawa Oil Storage Complex this afternoon in support of the electricity workers’ protest. The Ceylon Petroleum Trade Union Confederation says that due to this there could be a delay in the distribution of fuel.
Meanwhile, Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya yesterday (02) rejected a request made by the Wellampitiya Police to issue an order to stop the protest on the road in front of the Kolonnawa Petroleum Corporation. She has also stated that she cannot issue an order regarding a protest to be held in the future.
The United Alliance of Water Supply and Drainage Trade Unions says that if the power supply is cut off due to the protest by electricity workers and the water supply cannot be restored, the water supply will also be disrupted.
The All Ceylon Ports General Employees Union says that the protest organized by the Ports Trade Unions will be held near the clock tower in front of the Colombo Port.
Convener of the protest organized by the Oil, Ports and Electricity Joint Trade Union against the sale of national resources, Ranjan Jayalal says that all CEB employees’ leave has been canceled but all employees are returning to Colombo today after reporting sick leave in defiance of the circular.
He says that what is happening today is not a strike but a protest, but due to the arrival of workers in Colombo for the protest, there may be a delay in the restoration of any kind of breakdown.
He further stated that the date of the strike decision will be announced after today’s protest.